The Federation Cup competitions, both for men and women, are gearing up for an exciting new phase set to commence on Thursday with the national play-off matches. These matches are scheduled to take place in five cities across the Federation, namely Gombe, Jos, Katsina, Asaba, and Enugu.
Following the conclusion of the men and women competitions at the state level last weekend, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has received entries from a total of 70 teams for the national finals. Notably, Yobe State did not register for the competition, and Borno and Adamawa States each registered only one team instead of two, reducing the expected field of 74 teams to 70.
Based on ranking, 12 teams have been selected for the play-off matches from the list of 70, with the remaining 58 teams placed on standby. The six teams that emerge victorious from the play-off matches will advance to join the standby 58 for the National Draw, which will feature a total of 64 teams.
In the women’s competition, there are 31 teams participating in the national competition, with 20 states having registered teams. Notably, some states registered only one team each, while others registered two teams each.
The play-off fixtures are as follows:
Classic FC (Adamawa) vs. Gamji Eaglets (Taraba) – Gombe – 4pm
Warinje FC (Bauchi) vs. Simon Ben Academy (Kaduna) – Jos – 4pm
Zamfara United Feeders (Zamfara) vs. PRO Line (Kano) – Katsina – 4pm
Ine Stars (Edo) vs. Crusaders FC (Bayelsa) – Asaba – 4pm
KC FC (Kogi) vs. PCM FC (Ebonyi) – Enugu – 2pm
Flight FC (Benue) vs. Fr. Eburuaja (Imo) – Enugu – 4pm
The men’s and women’s competitions feature teams representing various states across Nigeria, with notable clubs such as Enyimba FC, Abia Warriors, Akwa United, and Bayelsa United among others.
States & Representatives Teams (Men’s Competition)
Abia State: Enyimba FC, Abia Warriors
Adamawa State: Classic FC
Akwa Ibom State: Akwa United, FC One Rocket
Anambra State: Solution FC, Edel FC
Bauchi State: Wikki Tourists, Warinje FC
Bayelsa State: Bayelsa United, Crusaders FC
Benue State: Lobi Stars, Flight FC
Borno State: El-Kanemi Warriors
Cross Rivers State: Rovers FC, May Frank FC
Delta State: Warri Wolves, Delta Marine FC
Ebonyi State: Cynosure FC, PCM FC
Edo State: Bendel Insurance, Ine Stars
Ekiti State: Ekiti United, Ekiti United Feeders
Enugu State: Rangers Int’l, Coal City FC
FCT: EFCC FC, Sporting Supreme FC
Gombe State: Gombe United, Doma United
Imo State: Ikukuoma FC, Fr. Eburuaja FC
Jigawa State: Lautai FC, Dutse Strikers
Kaduna State: Green Beret FC, Simon Ben Academy
Kano State: Kano Pillars, PRO Line FC
Katsina State: Katsina United FC, Jr. Danburan FC
Kebbi State: Discovery Talent Academy, Kebbi United
Kogi State: KC FC, FC Bako
Kwara State: Kwara United, ABS FC
Lagos State: Inter Lagos FC, Ikorodu City FC
Nasarawa State: Nasarawa United, FC Basira
Niger State: Niger Tornadoes, Niger Tornadoes Feeders
Ogun State: Beyond Limit FC, Stormers Sports Club
Ondo State: Sunshine Stars, Adanimogo FC
Osun State: Osun United, Hammola Int’l FC
Oyo State: Ilaji FC, Shooting Stars
Plateau State: Plateau United, Mighty Jets
Rivers State: Rivers United, Ofirima FC
Sokoto State: Sokoto United, Jedo Academy
Taraba State: Gamji Eaglets FC, Karim United
Zamfara State: Zamfara United, Zamfara United Feeders
States & Representatives Teams (Women’s Competition)
Abia State: Abia Angels, Ahudiya Nnem Queens
Bayelsa State: Bayelsa Queens, GoldenSun Sports Club
Benue State: Honey Badgers
Delta State: Delta Queens, Delta Ladies
Edo State: Edo Queens, Fortress Ladies
Ekiti State – Ekiti Queens
Enugu State: Bright Future FC, Greenfoot FC
FCT: Naija Ratels, ON Youth Academy
Imo State: Heartland Queens
Kaduna State: Kada FC, Gallant FC
